Alright friends, let’s check in. How are you feeling after the holidays? Do you have a sugar hangover like it’s nobody’s business? Are you feeling a little sad that the presents are all open, the cookies have been eaten and your ugly sweater is tucked in the back of the closet until next year? Well perk up buttercup – we still have one more holiday to get through, New Year’s!
While I’m not encouraging you to replace your sugar hangover with an actual hangover, the new year is something that needs to be celebrated. I mean, think about it. You’ve made it through another trip all the way around the sun. Even if 2015 had its fair share of lows, there had to have been some highs in there somewhere. Get excited about all the great things that happened to you this year, and carry all the good parts into the new year with you.
With a good cocktail. May I offer you this grapefruit sparkler?
This cocktail is right up my alley these days. It has all of the flavors I can’t get enough of: grapefruit, lime, mint and ginger. All topped off with some sparkly rosé. Because rosé all day. Let’s be real, we (ok, I) are (am) not in college anymore. We (I) don’t have the time, or the tolerance to be throwing back shots like it’s nothing. It’s something. And we (I) will feel like death afterwards. So let’s slowly sip on bubbly, pink, girly-looking drinks instead. That sounds way more fun.
Also, don’t fret if you don’t have any fancy drink equipment like a shaker or a muddler. I don’t have either of these things and was able to make this drink happen with a good old mason jar and wooden spoon. The handle of the wooden spoon muddles the mint, and you can secure your mason jar tightly with a lid before shaking. Strain the contents and voila! Improvise friends, improvise.
Cheers to poppin bottles for the new year!
- Juice of 2 Grapefruit (about ¾ Cup)
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 12 oz Rosé or Champagne
- 1-2 Tablespoons Agave (Depending on sweetness preference)
- 4 Sprigs of Mint, leaves removed
- ⅛ Teaspoon Fresh Ginger, grated
- Ice
- Optional: Sparkling Water
- In a small microwave safe bowl, combine agave and ginger. Microwave for about 30 seconds, or until agave is warmed through and infused with ginger. Set aside.
- Place mint leaves in a shaker or a large mason jar. Using a muddler, or the handle of a wooden spoon, muddle mint until leaves are crushed and fragrant. Add the ginger-agave and continue muddling until combined.
- Add the grapefruit juice and lime juice to the shaker or mason jar along with ~1/2 cup of ice. Secure with lid, and shake until all ingredients are well combined. Strain contents into two glasses over ice.
- Top each glass with 6 oz. of rosé. For additional bubbles, add an optional splash of sparkling water (I used grapefruit sparkling water for additional flavor).
- Garnish with additional mint and grapefruit. Serve immediately.
Your Turn:
- Do you have any fun New Year’s Eve plans?
- What are your favorite cocktails?
- Post grads: Do you also feel like death after drinking? Aging is a dangerous game.
I am so obsessed with grapefruit right now! This is perfect for NYE!
I am obsessed with grapefruit too. It is just too good!
I think you made this cocktail specially for me. Sparkling grapefruit is my absolute favorite. Plus mint? Done and done. I’d much rather enjoy the flavors of a cocktail then do shots. Ooph. My “drinking phase” was quite a short one in college.
I totally made this for you Georgie! I totally agree..sipping yummy cocktails > shots
Such a fantastic way to use grapefruit (which I always neglect!!)
Thank you! I go through phases where I forget about grapefruit, and phases where I’m all about it. I’m clearly in an “all about it” phase right now 😉
Oh heck yes! I love grapefruit and mint so this is right up my alley.
Amen sister. I can’t get enough of that combo lately!
I think I did the college-party thing for about 2 weeks last year before I was over it. Now I’d much rather spend my weekends making dinner, editing photos, and watching Parks & Rec….so basically I’m 35? Either way I need this cocktail now. And the pictures are freaking gorgeous, but no shocker there 🙂
You weren’t missing much, the party thing is pretty lame. And thank you so much! A little break was much needed to gain some new photo inspo. Glad you like 🙂
This is so pretty!!! I love the colors and the contrast of the pink and green. Gorgeous, Les!
Thank you so much Christina! So glad you got my vision 🙂
This sounds delicious! Adding this to my New years drink list. Thank Les!!!!
Thanks so much Ivanna! I hope you love it. Happy New Year 🙂
This sounds amazing, Les! I’m not one to make my own drinks very often, but I think I need to give this a go!
You would love it! I don’t make my own drinks either, but this was super easy to make!
This cocktail is GORGEOUS!! I don’t care if the holidays are over, I will find an occasion to make this…like Friday night 🙂
Thanks so much Whitney! That sounds like the perfect occasion to me! 😉
I love how fresh this looks! Perfect for sipping on a sunny patio. 🙂
Exactly! I will definitely be sipping this during the summer too 🙂